When one sees that Canon and Nikon are progressively introducing cameras that have desirable features for advanced hobbyists, one cannot but have doubts about Sony's future especially if they have invested in Sony cameras, lenses etc. and did not see Sony doing the same.

Granted that Sony have introduced several very capable entry level (Sony call them "family") cameras and a couple of FF cameras as well, but in the mid range area, Sony is nothing but silence. The A700 has been discontinued and there is no A700 replacement so for the advanced Sony hobbyists, short of going FF, really have no options.

The mid range or advance hobbyist cameras is an important line in Company's line up.

Firstly, people will buy into a system if they can see the room for them to grow in the system they invest in. If one buy into the Sony system, and when they are ready to move up from the A500/A550, where do they go? (if they have no desire to go FF).

I think it is unreasonable to expect that Sony family type camera users to go FF to upgrade.

So my conclusion is that unless Sony come out with some mid range models soon, Sony will lose significant market, hence the beginning of her demise.